Cabinet of Jamaica
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Jamaica |
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The Cabinet of the Government of Jamaica is the ultimate decision-making body of the executive within the Westminster system of government in traditional constitutional theory. The Cabinet of Jamaica is the principal instrument of government policy. It consists of the Prime Minister, and a minimum of thirteen other Ministers of Government, who must be members of one of the two Houses of Parliament. Not more than four members of the Cabinet may be members of the Senate. The Minister of Finance must be an elected member of the House of Representatives.[1]
The Cabinet of Jamaica is currently composed of The People's National Party members because the party won the 2011 General elections.[2]
The following are the members of the Government Cabinet led by Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller.[3]
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Composition[edit]
Queen-in-Council[edit]
The government of Jamaica, formally referred to as Her Majesty's Jamaican Government, is defined by the constitution as the Queen acting on the advice of her Executive Council; what is technically known as the Queen-in-Council, or sometimes the Governor-in-Council, referring to the governor general as the Queen's stand-in.
As the stipulations of responsible government require that those who directly advise the monarch and governor general on how to exercise the Royal Prerogative be accountable to the elected House of Representatives, the day-to-day operation of government is guided only by a sub-group of the Cabinet made up of individuals who hold seats in parliament. This body of ministers of the Crown is the Cabinet, which has come to be the council in the phrase Queen-in-Council.
Ministers, Ministers of State and Ministers with portfolio[edit]
Each minister of the Crown is responsible for the general administration of at least one government portfolio, and heads a corresponding ministry or ministries. The most important minister, following the prime minister, is the Minister of Finance, while other high-profile ministries include foreign affairs, national security, industry and health.
Further, the prime minister may recommend the governor general appoint to Cabinet some ministers of state and ministers without portfolio. Ministers of state often assume one responsibility of a ministry and are not considered as apart of the Cabinet. In the Jamaican press, Ministers of State of often referred to as Junior Ministers. Ministers without portfolio, often working within the Office of the prime minister, assuming one of the prime minister's subsidiary roles (excluding that of Minister of Defence). Two exceptions exist within the current Cabinet.
Current cabinet[edit]
Following the December 2011 general election, Portia Simpson-Miller and the People's National Party returned to government. She selected her cabinet and they, along with herself, were appointed by the Governor General on January 5, 2012.
Ministers[edit]
Ministry or department | Minister | Ministerial title | Incumbent since |
---|---|---|---|
Office of the Prime Minister | The Most Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller, MP | Prime Minister Minister of Defence Minister of Development, Information and Sports |
January 5 2012 |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade |
Sen. Arnold Joseph Nicholson | Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade |
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Ministry of Finance, Planning and the Public Service |
The Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips, MP | Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service |
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Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce |
The Hon. Mr. Anthony Hylton, MP | Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce |
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Ministry of National Security | The Hon. Mr. Peter Bunting, MP | Minister of National Security | |
Ministry of Justice | Sen. Mark Golding | Minister of Justice | |
Ministry of Education | The Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, MP | Minister of Education | |
Ministry of Energy, Mining, Science and Technology |
The Hon. Mr. Phillip Paulwell, MP | Minister of Energy, Mining, Science and Technology |
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Ministry of Local Government and Community Development |
The Hon. Mr. Noel Arscott, MP | Minister of Local Government and Community Development |
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Ministry of Land, Environment, Water and Climate Change |
The Hon. Mr. Robert Pickersgill, MP | Minister of Land, Environment, Water and Climate Change |
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Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing |
The Hon. Dr. Omar Davies, MP | Minister of Transport, Housing and Works |
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Ministry of Youth and Culture | The Hon. Ms. Lisa Hanna, MP | Minister of Youth and Culture | |
Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment | The Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, MP | Minister of Tourism and Entertainment | |
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries | The Hon. Mr. Derrick Kellier, MP | Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries | August 28, 2014 |
Ministry of Health | The Hon. Horace Dalley, MP | Minister of Health | November 6, 2015 |
Ministry of Labour and Social Security | The Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, MP | Minister of Labour and Social Security |
Ministers without portfolio[edit]
Ministry or department | Minister | Ministerial title | Incumbent since |
---|---|---|---|
Ministry of Transport, Housing and Works |
The Hon. Dr. Morais Guy, MP | Minister without portfolio for Housing | January 5, 2012 |
Ministry of Finance, Planning and the Public Service |
The Hon. Mr. Horace Dalley, MP | Minister without portfolio for the Public Service | |
Office of the Prime Minister (Min. of Develop., Info. and Sports) |
The Hon. Mrs. Natalie Neita-Headley, MP | Minister without portfolio for Sport | |
Sen. Sandrea Falconer | Minister without portfolio for Information |
Ministers of state[edit]
Eight ministers of state have been appointed but are not a part of the cabinet although they will help in the operations of their various sectors.[4]
Ministry or department | Minister | Ministerial title | Incumbent since |
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Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment | The Hon. Mr. Damian Crawford, MP | Minister of State for Tourism Development |
January 5, 2012 |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade |
The Hon. Arnaldo Brown, MP | Minister of State for Caribbean Integration |
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Ministry of Energy, Mining, Science and Technology |
The Hon. Mr. Julian Robinson, MP | Minister of State for Science and Technology |
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Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce |
The Hon. Mrs. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams | Minister of State for Small Business and Investments |
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Ministry of Land, Environment, Water and Climate Change | The Hon. Mr. Ian Hayles | Minister of State for Land Administration |
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Ministry of Local Government and Community Development |
The Hon. Mr. Colin Fagan | Minister of State for Local Government Reform |
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Ministry of Transport, Housing and Works |
The Hon. Mr. Richard Azan | Minister of State for Infrastructure Renewal |
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Ministry of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security | The Hon. Mr. Luthur Buchanan | Minister of State for Rural Development |
References[edit]
- ^ http://www.cabinet.gov.jm/
- ^ "Journey begins - Portia sworn in - Lead Stories - Jamaica Gleaner - Friday | January 6, 2012". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 2012-01-07.
- ^ "Portia selects 20-member Cabinet - News - Latest News". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 2012-01-07.
- ^ http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/20-MEMBER-CABINET_10516805
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